Dems Want Housing Preferences For Convicted Felons
Thank you to Michelle Malkin for bringing this story to light. It appears while the Democrats were fighting to offer preferences to convicted felons for federal housing, Republicans were pushing for those preferences to be offered to veterans instead. Ironically it was only this morning I was reading an article which had John Edwards remarking how tragic it was that there are 200,000 homeless veterans in America, and yet 28 Democrats voted against the Republican provision!
Under current law, a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rule governs eligibility of criminals seeking federally-assisted public housing. Specifically, public housing authorities may not admit families with members:
-Who were evicted from federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity for three years following the date of eviction;
-Who are currently engaging in illegal drug use;
-Who have shown a pattern of illegal drug or alcohol use that may interfere with the health or safety of other public housing residents;
-Who are subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender program; or
-Who have ever been convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on public housing property.H.R. 3524 would undermine HUD’s ability to enforce these rules and instead would extend a broad “Hard to House†preference to convicted felons – even those who were released from prison less than one year ago. The Republican proposal would strike this language and instead provide a similar preference to Armed Forces veterans.
The GOP amendment passed this afternoon:
House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after the House passed an amendment authored by Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) making sure America’s veterans are given a chance at securing adequate housing before preferences are extended to those who have violated our laws:
“If the majority is going to use this legislation to assign housing preferences to certain groups ahead of others, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to insist America’s veterans are put atop that list. Thankfully, we were able to pass an amendment on the floor today that will ensure just that – turning aside an effort by Democratic leaders to extend preferential treatment to criminal offenders at the expense of our nation’s veterans.
“Far too many men and women whose lives have been spent in service to this country find themselves today in need of public housing. At least with the passage of this amendment, these vets won’t have to stand in line behind criminal offenders – some, only months removed from prison – as they work with HUD and other agencies to secure an adequate housing arrangement.
“I want to thank Sam Graves for his hard work in helping craft and offer this amendment, and his strong and persistent leadership on behalf of veterans in our state and across the country.â€
I would like for John Edwards to speak out against his own party on this issue, and thank Republicans for making the right decision. Anyone who believes convicted felons should receive preferential treatment over veterans is most likely a convicted felon them self.
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i am requesting to know the scope of a convicted that makes one not able for HUD housing? Does this also include the conviction of (theft)? There is NO drugs or sex or violence in this individual background check. Is This individual able to reside on HUD property if he or she is married to the qualified applicant?
I feel that the republicans are once again being racist. Yes I said it racist because it is written in Lease and Rent Guide that Landlord’s would be better off renting to an old white guy with the same credentials as a young black female. This is almost saying we would rather see old white people get into public housing than to see young black men who were convicted get public housing. I think that this policy is kind of crazy on the republicans sides. The veterans of today should have already been able to find shelter for themselves, they have been in the world long enough to do so. Young and old convicted felons do not understand how the world is changing on the outside, because the media they watch on the inside are feeding them lies.
Hi,
I feel that if you give both convited felons and the veterans a chance for public housing things will probably get a little better. Well let me put it like this, half of the felons keep doing bad things because no one is out there giving them a chance,while the other half of the felons out there are honorable and dishonorable veterans cause their, minds got messed up in the wars that most of them need mental health and they was not getting it at all. what people need to do is find a program that will help these veterans and convicted felons with a lenth of time and to show the public that there trying to get there life back in order, to also get the housing that you need that should be a voucher for housing and the private landlords!!!!. a safer place will be is to help others jesus did!!! he help us now how are we caring his name?
It seems to me that a veteran that is injured is our priority. As far as I am concerned they are heroes. However I also understand what a felon goes thru. My brother went to a night club and someone drugged his drink. His only mistake was that he left his drink on a table as he went to go dance. He is a man that served his country for six years and fought in the gulf war. He was set up to be robbed as he has an 18 thousand dollar watch my father left to him when he passed. When he felt the effects of the date rape drug he thought he was getting sick and wanted to rush home. As the drug started taking over his person he blacked out wile driving and was a victim as he was awarded a felony due to a crash that injured his passenger. He has not been able to find a job worth his credentials. He holds an MBA in business and for what? he can barely support his children. So felons need doors to be opened not closed as the old way does not work. If it did our prisons would not be over crowded. If someone makes a mistake how do you expect them to do better when everyone closes doors in there face. People act as if they are above the felons however they all have things that they just haven’t been caught doing. We must open our minds and stop pointing fingers at felons just because we have never been caught. If you don’t see that our antiquated system does not work then you are one of those people that don’t want to help anyone but your self’s. UNINJURED VETERANS CAN FIND WORK ANY WERE. FELONS THAT WANT A CHANCE TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES CAN NOT FIND WORK! It’s that simple!
HI, I AM A CONVICTED FELON MYSELF, AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DRUGS, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT I ACTUALLY GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH A GIRL AND WHEN SHE TRIED 2 HIT ME WITH A BAT I TOOK IT AND HIT HER. I PLEADED GUILY AND WAS SENTENCED TO 10 DAYS IN JAIL, THE ONLY REASON I PLEAD GUILTY WAS BECAUSE I NEW THAT WOULD GIVE ME A REDUCED SENTENCE MY PUBLIC DEFENDER DID TELL ME THAT IF I PLEAD GUILTY EVERYTHING I WOULD STAND TO LOOSE, SO BEING THAT I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND DID WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCE OF LOOSING MY SON I TOOK A PLEA DEAL. THAT WAS IN 2003 I HAVE A 7 YEAR OLD SON AND AS EVERYONE KNOWS WE ARE IN A RECESSION, PUBLIC HOUSING WOULD BE GOOD FOR US RIGHT NOW BUT WE ARE NOT APPROVED BECAUSE I DEFENDED MYSELF. THATS NOT FAIR WERE I LIVE I HAVE ALWAYS WORKED ALL THE WAY UP INTO ALL THE COMPANY IN OUR TOWN ARE NOW OUT OF BUSINESS WE ARE #1 IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND WE ARE STILL LOOSING JOBS WE ONLY HAVE 2 LOW INCOME HOUSING COMPLEXES IN OUR TOWN AND I NEVER DEPENED ON THEM, AS A TAX PAYER, NOW THAT I NEED IT I STILL CANT HAVE IT. IM NOT SAYING NOT TO LOOK OUT FOR OUR VETERAN BUT ONE WOULD THINK THAT IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PUT YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE FOR USA THAT THEY WOULD MAKE SURE NONE OF THERE VETERANS HAVE TO LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING THEY SHOULD HAVE HOUSES, WHICH BRINGS ME TO HIS POINT YOU ALL WOULD LIKE FOR CONVICTED FELONS TO CHANGE THERE LIVES AROUND INSTEAD OF LEAVING THEM IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS, THAT ONLY LEAVE THEM TO COMMIT OTHER CRIMES SO THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE A PLACE FOR THERE KID TO STAY WITH OUT BEING IN A SHELTER AND HAVING TO EXPLAIN TO THERE 7 YEAR OLD WHY THEY ARE LIVING HERE WITH ALL THESE STRANGERS. ALL I HAVE TO SAY IF YOU ARE AGAINS GIVING CONVICTED FELONS HOUSING A PLACE TO CALL HOME THEN DONT COMPLAIN WHEN YOU SEE THE NEXT PERSON SELLING DRUGS, BREAKING IN HOUSES, ETC WHAT EVER THAT HAVE TO DO TO SURVIVE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM ALL YOU ARE DOING IS ADDING TO IT.
Latoya,
There is no easy solution to the housing problem that convicted felons face. Lanlords are understandably hesitant to rent to such people, but that does not mean they should recieve government assistance. As you stated, we are currently experiencing a recession, and there are many families who need public housing, as much if not more than yourself. It is my opinion that those who have served our country be given first precedence at recieving help from the same people they offered to protect.
Im an ex-felon who hasn’t committed a crime after my release and now have a partner and 2 children and 1 on the way. I need help finding work to support my family. We were homeless for 2 years and now have lived in an apt. for 2 months and can not afford the rent. Please help us find any programs that can help us. I will do any kind of work that is offerred. I have experience as a carpenter, landscaper, and other pysical labor jobs. Any information would be helpful.
Thank you.
Convicte felons deserve a chance. Maybe not all and deffinitly not repeat offenders. I was convicted of a felon in 2006. I have know prior convictions and haven’t been in any trouble since 2005. I got custody of my now 7 year old son in Dec 2007. Finding a job is difficult and frustating. A small hand of help or direction would go a long way. Not just for my son but also for myself. If you could offer any help or direction it would be appreciated. Thanks Single Father/ Convicted Felon
My husband and I just got out of prison less than 6 months ago and are having problems finding housing. I’m not saying that our veterans should be homeless, but neither should the people that paid their debt to society. How are we supposed to show people that we have changed when no one will give us a chance?
It is amazing that this country is and was built on “In God We Trust”. This country is mostly Christian and it seems we do not really practice the christian thought. I am quite sure Jesus Christ would be terribly disappointed in the attitudes of our Christian society. We had better be real careful to understand what the life of Jesus really represented. Most of us are doomed to hell because of our non-forgiving and biased attitudes. Are we really caring for those who really need help, whether a felon or a vet or a drug addict or a teen mom, etc. It is time we “Christians” truly understand what is meant by being a child of God. With the attitudes we have, doesn’t it seem more like we are serving the devil instead of God? Think about what attitude Christ would want us to exhibit. It is time for the Christians of this country to be not only hearers of the Word, but also doers of the word.